AIDOS (pronounced AY-dose) is the Greek Goddess of modesty. She is the daughter of Prometheus, the Titan God of planning, and she acted as a conscience, to keep men from doing wrong. Aidos was often in the company of Nemesis, Goddess of retribution, who would punish those who failed to heed the guidance of Aidos. Her name, which means "modesty," is also seen as AEDOS, and she was also called AISKHYNE or AISCHYNE, which means "shame."

I THINK WE ALL KNOW THE WONDERFUL TALE OF HOW THE GREEK TITAN, PROMETHEUS, UPSTAGED ZEUS AND CARRIED THE GODS' FIRE TO THE HUMANS. AND, FOR THIS FELONIOUS ACT, HE WAS SHACKLED TO A ROCK ON MOUNT CAUCUSUS WHERE AN EAGLE PERPETUALLY GNAWED AT HIS EVER-REPLENISHING LIVER. NOW, IT WAS KNOWN THAT PROMETHEUS DID NOT ACT ALONE, THAT, IN FACT, HIS BROTHER EPENETHEUS HAD HELPED WITH THE TASK, BUT THIS COULD NOT BE PROVEN. SO, INSTEAD OF THE TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT LIKE THAT OF PROMETHEUS, THE GODS DEVISED A MORE SUBTLE TYPE OF PUNISHMENT FOR HIM...THE BEAUTIFUL PANDORA WHO WOULD BE SENT TO BECOME HIS WIFE.

HER NAME MEANS "ALL-GIFTED" AND THAT SHE WAS. AT ZEUS'S COMMAND, HER BODY WAS CREATED OUT OF CLAY AND FIRE BY HEPHAESTUS, THE CLEVER BLACKSMITH OF THE HEAVENS. AND THE, ALL OF THE GODS GATHERED TO GIVE HER GIFTS. APHRODITE GIFTED HER WITH GREAT BEAUTY; HERMES WITH CLEVER SPEECH; AND APOLLO WITH MUSIC. HEPHAESTUS PLACED A GOLDEN CROWN ON HER HEAD WHICH HE HAD ENGRAVED WITH MAGICAL SYMBOLS. THE HORAE WREATHED HER IN A WIDE ARRAY OF FRESH FLOWERS. SHE WAS TRULY THE LOVELIEST MORTAL WOMAN WHO HAD YET BEEN PLACED UPON THE EARTH.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS ANOTHER GIFT WHICH I HAVE YET TO MENTION. IT WAS THE GIFT FROM HERA, THE GODDESS OF MARRIAGE. SHE GAVE PANDORA THE GIFT OF INSATIABLE CURIOSITY. WE'LL NEVER KNOW WHY HERA CHOSE THAT GIFT. PERHAPS IT WAS BECAUSE SHE DISLIKED THE IDEA OF CREATING A PASSIVE VIRGIN TO BE PAWNED OFF AS A HELPLESS BRIDE, FOR SHE HERSELF, COULD NEVER BE CALLED A PASSIVE WIFE. IN FACT, WE FIND IN HERA THE IMAGE OF A WOMAN WHO FIGHTS TO BE HEARD AND IS NOT DISMISSED IN MARRIAGE, A WOMAN WHO WAS CONSTANTLY REBELLING AGAINST THE STEREOTYPE OF THE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT WIFE.

SO, WHEN PANDORA WAS SENT TO EARTH TO BE WITH EPINETHEUS, THE GODS ALSO PROVIDED HER WITH A DOWRY; IT WAS A STRANGE LIDDED JAR WHICH, UNBEKNOWNST TO PANDORA, WAS FILLED WITH ALL OF THE HORRIBLE ILLS THAT PLAGUE PEOPLE BY DAY AND MALADIES OF THE NIGHT. SHE IS TOLD NOT TO OPEN THE JAR, BUT, OF COURSE, WE MUST REMEMBER HERA'S GIFT. SO, FOR A TIME SHE AGREES TO AND PLAYS THE PART OF THE PERFECT, SUBMISSIVE WIFE. BUT EVENTUALLY, HOWEVER, SHE CAN NO LONGER CONTAIN HERSELF AND OPENS THE JAR...AND AS EVERYONE KNOWS...THIS ONE ACT UNLEASHED ALL THE ILLS OF HUMANKIND WHICH HAVE TROUBLED US EVER SINCE.

BUT, ONE THING REMAINED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE JAR AND THAT WAS HOPE...HOPE WHICH HAS BEEN WITH US ALWAYS. AND, WHENEVER WE ARE TROUBLED BY DISEASE AND DEATH, IT IS THIS HOPE THAT KEEPS US AFLOAT.

Baba Yaga is the Russian spirit who rules the conjunction of magic and harsh reality, of limits and possibilites. This Death Spirit provides fertility when she chooses, but she also consumes those who disappoint her.

Baba Yaga, iron-toothed and boney-legged, wears a neclace of human skulls; her ome is surrounded by a fence crafted from human bones. She offers comprehension, not comfort.

Like her compatriot spirits, Kali and La Santisima Muerte, Baba Yaga encompasses all the mysteries of life and death; contemplate her in order to begin to comprehend these mysteries. This spell doesn't suggest contacting her (the Baba has little patience; don't waste her time without good reason), but this kind of magical contemplation instead.

* Build an altar featuring birch wood and leaves, animal imagery, a mortar, pestle and broom, and "food and drink. Baba Yaga is always voraciously hungry. Offer her real food or cut out photo images for the altar. She is especially fond of Russian extravagances like coulibiac. Offer her a samovar with blocks of fine Russian caravan tea and perhaps a water pipe.

* Sit with the altar, gaze at it from different angles, play with the objects and see what comes to mind" Encyclopedia of 5000 "

SHEELA NA GIG (pronounced SHEE-lah-na-geeg) is a Celtic Goddess of fertility and rebirth. Her prominent display of her genitals has been interpreted in many ways; she is associated with sex and fertility, but several of her representations have the sagging breasts of a crone or no breasts at all. She is said to protect against evil; sheelas are often found above doors and windows, even on churches, because it was believed that the Devil was afraid of the sight of a woman's privates. Perhaps her most enduring interpretation is as the Earth Mother, ruler over life, death, and rebirth--she represents the gateway through which we all must pass and through which we will all return. Alternate spellings of her name include SILE NA GCIOCH (Sheela of the breasts), SILE NA GIOB (Sheela on her hunkers), SHEELA NY GIGG, SILE NI GHIG, SHILA NA GIGH, SHELA NA GIG, SHEELA NA JIG, SEELA NA GIG, SHEILA NA GIG, SHEELA NA GICH, SELA NA GEICH, SHEELA NA GUIRA, SILE NI GUIRE, SILE NI DHUIBHIR, SILEADH NA GCIOCH, and SHEE LENA GIG (fairy with her vagina).

I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter Semne Thea (Reverend goddess) - of her and her trim-ankled daughter (Persephone) whom Aidoneus rapt away, given to him by all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer.

Apart from Demeter Khrysaoros (Lady of the golden sword) Aglaokarpos (Giver of glorious fruits), she was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Okeanos and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths and the narcissus, which Ge (Earth) made to grow at the will of Zeus and to please the Host of Many (Haides), to be a snare for the bloom-like girl.

The girl was amazed and reached out with both hands to take the lovely toy; but the wide-pathed earth yawned there in the Nysion plain, and the lord, Host of Many, with his immortal horses sprang out upon her.

He caught her up reluctant on his golden car and bare her away lamenting. Then she cried out shrilly with her voice, calling upon her father, the Son of Kronos (Zeus), who is most high and excellent. But no one, either of the deathless gods or of mortal men, heard her voice, nor yet the olive-trees bearing rich fruit: only tender-hearted Hekate, bright-coiffed, the daughter of Persaios, heard the girl from her cave, and the lord Helios (the Sun), Hyperion's bright son, as she cried to her father, the Son of Kronos (Zeus).

But he was sitting aloof, apart from the gods, in his temple where many pray, and receiving sweet offerings from mortal men. So he, that Son of Kronos (Haides), of many names... was bearing her away by leave of Zeus on his immortal chariot - his own brother's child and all unwilling.

And so long as she, the goddess, yet beheld earth and starry heaven and the strong-flowing sea where fishes shoal, and the rays of the sun, and still hoped to see her dear mother (Demeter) and the tribes of the eternal gods, so long hope calmed her great heart for all her trouble; and the heights of the mountains and the depths of the sea rang with her immortal voice: and her queenly mother heard her.

Bitter pain seized her (Demeter's) heart, and she rent the covering upon her divine hair with her dear hands: her dark cloak she cast down from both her shoulders and sped, like a wild-bird, over the firm land and yielding sea, seeking her child. But no one would tell her the truth, neither god nor mortal men; and of the birds of omen none came with true news for her.

Then for nine days queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands, so grieved that she never tasted ambrosia and the sweet draught of nectar, nor sprinkled her body with water.

But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hekate, with a torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her news: "Queenly Demeter Horephoros (Bringer of seasons) Aglaodoros (Giver of good gifts), what god of heaven or what mortal man has rapt away Persephone and pierced with sorrow your dear heart? For I heard her voice, yet saw not with my eyes who it was. But I tell you truly and shortly all I know." So, then, said Hekate. And the daughter of rich-haired Rhea (Demeter) answered her not, but sped swiftly with her, holding flaming torches in her hands.

So they came to Helios (the Sun), who is watchman of both gods and men, and stood in front of his horses: and the bright goddess enquired of him: "Helios, do you at least regard me, goddess as I am, if ever by word or deed of mine I have cheered your heart and spirit. Through the fruitless air I heard the thrilling cry of my daughter whom I bare, sweet scion of my body and lovely in form, as of one seized violently; though with my eyes I saw nothing. But you -- for with your beams you look down from the bright upper air Over all the earth and sea - tell me truly of my dear child, if you have seen her anywhere, what god or mortal man has violently seized her against her will and mine, and so made off."

So said she. And the Son of Hyperion answered her: "Queen Demeter, daughter of rich-haired Rhea, I will tell you the truth; for I greatly reverence and pity you in your grief for your trim-ankled daughter. None other of the deathless gods is to blame, but only cloud-gathering Zeus who gave her to Aides, her father's brother, to be called his buxom wife. And Aides seized her and took her loudly crying in his chariot down to his realm of mist and gloom. Yet, goddess, cease your loud lament and keep not vain anger unrelentingly: Aidoneus, the Ruler of Many, is no unfitting husband among the deathless gods for your child, being your own brother and born of the same stock: also, for honour, he has that third share which he received when division was made at the first, and is appointed lord of those among whom he dwells."

So he spake, and called to his horses: and at his chiding they quickly whirled the swift chariot along, like long-winged birds.

But grief yet more terrible and savage came into the heart of Demeter, and thereafter she was so angered with dark-clouded Kronios (Zeus) that she avoided the gathering of the gods and high Olympos, and went to the towns and rich fields of men, disfiguring her form a long while. And no one of men or deep-bosomed women knew her when they saw her, until she came to the house of wise Keleos who then was lord of fragrant Eleusis.

Vexed in her dear heart, she sat near the wayside by the Phrear Parthenios (Maiden Well), from which the women of the place were used to draw water, in a shady place over which grew an olive shrub. And she was like an ancient woman who is cut off from childbearing and the gifts of garland-loving Aphrodite, like the nurses of king's children who deal justice, or like the house-keepers in their echoing halls.

There the daughters of Keleos, son of Eleusis, saw her, as they were coming for easy-drawn water, to carry it in pitchers of bronze to their dear father's house: four were they and like goddesses in the flower of their girlhood, Kallidike and Kleisidike and lovely Demo and Kallithoe who was the eldest of them all. They knew her not, - for the gods are not easily discerned by mortals - but standing near by her spoke winged words: "Old mother, whence and who are you of folk born long ago? Why are you gone away from the city and do not draw near the houses? For there in the shady halls are women of just such age as you, and others younger; and they would welcome you both by word and by deed.'"

Thus they said. And she, that queen among goddesses answered them saying: "Hail, dear children, whosoever you are of woman-kind. I will tell you my story; for it is not unseemly that I should tell you truly what you ask. Doso is my name, for my stately mother gave it me. And now I am come from Krete over the sea's wide back, - not willingly; but pirates brought be thence by force of strength against my liking.

"Afterwards they put in with their swift craft to Thorikos, and there the women landed on the shore in full throng and the men likewise, and they began to make ready a meal by the stern-cables of the ship. But my heart craved not pleasant food, and I fled secretly across the dark country and escaped by masters, that they should not take me unpurchased across the sea, there to win a price for me.

"And so I wandered and am come here: and I know not at all what land this is or what people are in it. But may all those who dwell on Olympos give you husbands and birth of children as parents desire, so you take pity on me, maidens, and show me this clearly that I may learn, dear children, to the house of what man and woman I may go, to work for them cheerfully at such tasks as belong to a woman of my age.

"Well could I nurse a new born child, holding him in my arms, or keep house, or spread my masters' bed in a recess of the well-built chamber, or teach the women their work."

So said the goddess. And straightway the unwed maiden Kallidike, goodliest in form of the daughters of Keleos, answered her and said: "Mother, what the gods send us, we mortals bear perforce, although we suffer; for they are much stronger than we.

"But now I will teach you clearly, telling you the names of men who have great power and honour here and are chief among the people, guarding our city's coif of towers by their wisdom and true judgements: there is wise Triptolemos and Dioklos and Polyxeinos and blameless Eumolpos and Dolikhos and our own brave father. All these have wives who manage in the house, and no one of them, so soon as she has seen you, would dishonour you and turn you from the house, but they will welcome you; for indeed you are godlike.

But if you will, stay here; and we will go to our father's house and tell Metaneira, our deep-bosomed mother, all this matter fully, that she may bid you rather come to our home than search after the houses of others. She has an only son, late-born, who is being nursed in our well-built house, a child of many prayers and welcome: if you could bring him up until he reached the full measure of youth, any one of womankind who should see you would straightway envy you, such gifts would our mother give for his upbringing."

So she spake: and the goddess bowed her head in assent. And they filled their shining vessels with water and carried them off rejoicing. Quickly they came to their father's great house and straightway told their mother according as they had heard and seen. Then she bade them go with all speed and invite the stranger to come for a measureless hire.

As hinds or heifers in spring time, when sated with pasture, bound about a meadow, so they, holding up the folds of their lovely garments, darted down the hollow path, and their hair like a crocus flower streamed about their shoulders. And they found the good goddess near the wayside where they had left her before, and led her to the house of their dear father. And she walked behind, distressed in her dear heart, with her head veiled and wearing a dark cloak which waved about the slender feet of the goddess.

Soon they came to the house of heaven-nurtured Keleos and went through the portico to where their queenly mother sat by a pillar of the close-fitted roof, holding her son, a tender scion, in her bosom. And the girls ran to her. But the goddess walked to the threshold: and her head reached the roof and she filled the doorway with a heavenly radiance.

Then awe and reverence and pale fear took hold of Metaneira, and she rose up from her couch before Demeter, and bade her be seated. But Demeter Horephoros (bringer of seasons) and Aglaodoros (giver of perfect gifts), would not sit upon the bright couch, but stayed silent with lovely eyes cast down until careful Iambe placed a jointed seat for her and threw over it a silvery fleece.

Then she sat down and held her veil in her hands before her face. A long time she sat upon the stool without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or by sign, but rested, never smiling, and tasting neither food nor drink, because she pined with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter, until careful Iambe - who pleased her moods in aftertime also - moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart.

Then Metaneira filled a cup with sweet wine and offered it to her; but she refused it, for she said it was not lawful for her to drink red wine, but bade them mix meal and water with soft mint and give her to drink. And Metaneira mixed the draught and gave it to the goddess as she bade. So the great queen Deo received it to observe the sacrament.

And of them all, well-girded Metaneira first began to speak: "Hail, lady! For I think you are not meanly but nobly born; truly dignity and grace are conspicuous upon your eyes as in the eyes of kings that deal justice. Yet we mortals bear perforce what the gods send us, though we be grieved; for a yoke is set upon our necks. But now, since you are come here, you shall have what I can bestow: and nurse me this child whom the gods gave me in my old age and beyond my hope, a son much prayed for. If you should bring him up until he reach the full measure of youth, any one of womankind that sees you will straightway envy you, so great reward would I give for his upbringing."

Then Eustephanos (beautiful-crowned) Demeter answered her: "And to you, also, lady, all hail, and may the gods give you good! Gladly will I take the boy to my breast, as you bid me, and will nurse him. Never, I ween, through any heedlessness of his nurse shall witchcraft (epelysia) hurt him nor yet the Undercutter (teething in infants): for I know a charm far stronger than the Woodcutter, and I know an excellent safeguard against woeful witchcraft."

When she had so spoken, she took the child in her fragrant bosom with her divine hands: and his mother was glad in her heart. So the goddess nursed in the palace Demophoon, wise Keleos' goodly son whom well-girded Metaneira bare. And the child grew like some immortal being, not fed with food nor nourished at the breast: for by day Kallistephanos (rich-crowned) Demeter would anoint him with ambrosia as if he were the offspring of a god and breathe sweetly upon him as she held him in her bosom. But at night she would hide him like a brand in the heard of the fire, unknown to his dear parents.

And it wrought great wonder in these that he grew beyond his age; for he was like the gods face to face. And she would have made him deathless and unageing, had not well-girded Metaneira in her heedlessness kept watch by night from her sweet-smelling chamber and spied. But she wailed and smote her two hips, because she feared for her son and was greatly distraught in her heart; so she lamented and uttered winged words: "Demophoon, my son, the strange woman buries you deep in fire and works grief and bitter sorrow for me."

Thus she spoke, mourning. And the bright goddess, Kallistephanos (lovely-crowned) Demeter, heard her, and was wroth with her. So with her divine hands she snatched from the fire the dear son whom Metaneira had born unhoped-for in the palace, and cast him from her to the ground; for she was terribly angry in her heart.

Forthwith she said to well-girded Metaneira: "Witless are you mortals and dull to foresee your lot, whether of good or evil, that comes upon you. For now in your heedlessness you have wrought folly past healing; for - be witness the oath of the gods, the relentless water of Styx - I would have made your dear son deathless and unaging all his days and would have bestowed on him everlasting honour, but now he can in no way escape death and the fates. Yet shall unfailing honour always rest upon him, because he lay upon my knees and slept in my arms.

But, as the years move round and when he is in his prime, the sons of the Eleusinians shall ever wage war and dread strife with one another continually. Lo! I am that Demeter who has share of honour and is the greatest help and cause of joy to the undying gods and mortal men. But now, let all the people build be a great temple and an altar below it and beneath the city and its sheer wall upon a rising hillock above Kallikhoros. And I myself will teach my rites, that hereafter you may reverently perform them and so win the favour of my heart."

When she had so said, the goddess changed her stature and her looks, thrusting old age away from her: beauty spread round about her and a lovely fragrance was wafted from her sweet-smelling robes, and from the divine body of the goddess a light shone afar, while golden tresses spread down over her shoulders, so that the strong house was filled with brightness as with lightning.

And so she went out from the palace. And straightway Metaneira's knees were loosed and she remained speechless for a long while and did not remember to take up her late-born son from the ground. But his sisters heard his pitiful wailing and sprang down from their well-spread beds: one of them took up the child in her arms and laid him in her bosom, while another revived the fire, and a third rushed with soft feet to bring their mother from her fragrant chamber. And they gathered about the struggling child and washed him, embracing him lovingly; but he was not comforted, because nurses and handmaids much less skilful were holding him now.

All night long they sought to appease the glorious goddess, quaking with fear. But, as soon as dawn began to show, they told powerful Keleos all things without fail, as Kallistephanos (the lovely-crowned) goddess Demeter charged them. So Keleos called the countless people to an assembly and bade them make a goodly temple for Eukomos (rich-haired) Demeter and an altar upon the rising hillock. And they obeyed him right speedily and harkened to his voice, doing as he commanded.

As for the child, he grew like an immortal being. Now when they had finished building and had drawn back from their toil, they went every man to his house.

But Xanthe (golden-haired) Demeter sat there (in her new-built temple in Eleusis) apart from all the blessed gods and stayed, wasting with yearning for her deep-bosomed daughter. Then she caused a most dreadful and cruel year for mankind over the all-nourishing earth: the ground would not make the seed sprout, for Eustephanos (rich-crowned) Demeter kept it hid.

In the fields the oxen drew many a curved plough in vain, and much white barley was cast upon the land without avail. So she would have destroyed the whole race of man with cruel famine and have robbed them who dwell on Olympos of their glorious right of gifts and sacrifices, had not Zeus perceived and marked this in his heart.

First he sent golden-winged Iris to call Eukomos (rich-haired) Demeter, lovely in form. So he commanded. And she obeyed the dark-clouded Son of Kronos, and sped with swift feet across the space between. She came to the stronghold of fragrant Eleusis, and there finding Kuanopeplos (dark-cloaked) Demeter in her temple, spake to her and uttered winged words: "Demeter, father Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting, calls you to come join the tribes of the eternal gods: come therefore, and let not the message I bring from Zeus pass unobeyed."

Thus said Iris imploring her. But Demeter's heart was not moved. Then again the father sent forth all the blessed and eternal gods besides: and they came, one after the other, and kept calling her and offering many very beautiful gifts and whatever right she might be pleased to choose among the deathless gods. Yet no one was able to persuade her mind and will, so wrath was she in her heart; but she stubbornly rejected all their words: for she vowed that she would never set foot on fragrant Olympos nor let fruit spring out of the ground, until she beheld with her eyes her own fair-faced daughter.

Now when all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer heard this, he sent Argeiphontes (Hermes) whose wand is of gold to Erebos, so that having won over Hades with soft words, he might lead forth chaste Persephone to the light from the misty gloom to join the gods, and that her mother might see her with her eyes and cease from her anger.

And Hermes obeyed, and leaving the house of Olympus, straightway sprang down with speed to the hidden places of the earth. And he found the lord Aides in his house seated upon a couch, and his shy mate with him, much reluctant, because she yearned for her mother. But she was afar off, brooding on her fell design because of the deeds of the blessed gods.

And strong Argeiphontes drew near and said: "Dark-haired Aides, ruler over the departed, father Zeus bids me bring noble Persephone forth from Erebos unto the gods, that her mother may see her with her eyes and cease from her dread anger with the immortals; for now she plans an awful deed, to destroy the weakly tribes of earthborn men by keeping seed hidden beneath the earth, and so she makes an end of the honours of the undying gods. For she keeps fearful anger and does not consort with the gods, but sits aloof in her fragrant temple, dwelling in the rocky hold of Eleusis."

So he said. And Aidoneus, ruler over the dead, smiled grimly and obeyed the behest of Zeus the king. For he straightway urged wise Persephone, saying: "Go now, Persephone, to your dark-robed mother, go, and feel kindly in your heart towards me: be not so exceedingly cast down; for I shall be no unfitting husband for you among the deathless gods, that am own brother to father Zeus. And while you are here, you shall rule all that lives and moves and shall have the greatest rights among the deathless gods: those who defraud you and do not appease your power with offerings, reverently performing rites and paying fit gifts, shall be punished for evermore."

When he said this, wise Persephone was filled with joy and hastily sprang up for gladness. But he on his part secretly gave her sweet pomegranate seed to eat, taking care for himself that she might not remain continually with grave, dark-robed Demeter.

Then Aidoneus the Ruler of Many openly got ready his deathless horses beneath the golden chariot. And she mounted on the chariot, and strong Argeiphontes (Hermes) took reins and whip in his dear hands and drove forth from the hall, the horses speeding readily. Swiftly they traversed their long course, and neither the sea nor river-waters nor grassy glens nor mountain-peaks checked the career of the immortal horses, but they clave the deep air above them as they went. And Hermes brought them to the place where rich-crowned Demeter was staying and checked them before her fragrant temple.

And when Demeter saw them, she rushed forth as does a Maenad down some thick-wooded mountain, while Persephone on the other side, when she saw her mother's sweet eyes, left the chariot and horses, and leaped down to run to her, and falling upon her neck, embraced her.

But while Demeter was still holding her dear child in her arms, her heart suddenly misgave her for some snare, so that she feared greatly and ceased fondling her daughter and asked of her at once: "My child, tell me, surely you have not tasted any food while you were below? Speak out and hide nothing, but let us both know. For if you have not, you shall come back from loathly Aides and live with me and your father, the dark-clouded Son of Kronos (Zeus) and be honoured by all the deathless gods; but if you have tasted food, you must go back again beneath the secret places of the earth, there to dwell a third part of the seasons every year: yet for the two parts you shall be with me and the other deathless gods. But when the earth shall bloom with the fragrant flowers of spring in every kind, then from the realm of darkness and gloom thou shalt come up once more to be a wonder for gods and mortal men. And now tell me how he rapt you away to the realm of darkness and gloom, and by what trick did the strong Host of Many beguile you?"

Then beautiful Persephone answered her thus: "Mother, I will tell you all without error. When luck-bringing Hermes came, swift messenger from my father the Son of Kronos (Zeus) and the other Sons of Heaven, bidding me come back from Erebos that you might see me with your eyes and so cease from your anger and fearful wrath against the gods, I sprang up at once for joy; but he secretly put in my mouth sweet food, a pomegranate seed, and forced me to taste against my will. Also I will tell how he rapt me away by the deep plan of my father the Son of Kronos and carried me off beneath the depths of the earth [she retells the story of her rape]... All this is true, sore though it grieves me to tell the tale."

So did they turn, with hearts at one, greatly cheer each the other's soul and spirit with many an embrace: their heart had relief from their griefs while each took and gave back joyousness.

Then bright-coiffed Hekate came near to them, and often did she embrace the daughter of Hagne (holy) Demeter: and from that time the lady Hekate was minister and companion to Persephone.

And all-seeing Zeus sent a messenger to them, rich-haired Rhea, to bring dark-cloaked Demeter to join the families of the gods: and he promised to give her what right she should choose among the deathless gods and agreed that her daughter should go down for the third part of the circling year to darkness and gloom (winter), but for the two parts (spring and summer] should live with her mother and the other deathless gods. Thus he commanded.

And the goddess did not disobey the message of Zeus; swiftly she rushed down from the peaks of Olympos and came to the plain of Rharos, rich, fertile corn-land once, but then in nowise fruitful, for it lay idle and utterly leafless, because the white grains was hidden by design of Kallisphyros (trim-ankled) Demeter. But afterwards, as springtime waxed, it was soon to be waving with long ears of corn, and its rich furrows to be loaded with grain upon the ground, while others would already be bound in sheaves.

There first she landed from the fruitless upper air: and glad were the goddesses to see each other and cheered in heart. Then bright-coiffed Rhea said to Demeter: "Come, my daughter; for far-seeing Zeus the loud- thunderer calls you to join the families of the gods, and has promised to give you what rights you please among the deathless gods, and has agreed that for a third part of the circling year your daughter shall go down to darkness and gloom, but for the two parts shall be with you and the other deathless gods: so has he declared it shall be and has bowed his head in token. But come, my child, obey, and be not too angry unrelentingly with the dark-clouded Son of Kronos; but rather increase forthwith for men the fruit that gives them life."

So spake Rhea. And Eustephanos (well-girdled) Demeter did not refuse but straightway made fruit to spring up from the rich lands, so that the whole wide earth was laden with leaves and flowers.

Then she (Demeter) went, and to the kings who deal justice, Triptolemos and Diokles, the horse-driver, and to doughty Eumolpos and Keleos, leader of the people, she showed the conduct of her rites and taught them all her mysteries, to Triptolemos and Polyxeinos and Diokles also, - awful mysteries which no one may in any way transgress or pry into or utter, for deep awe of the gods checks the voice.

Happy is he among men upon earth who has seen these mysteries; but he who is uninitiate and who has no part in them, never has lot of like good things once he is dead, down in the darkness and gloom. But when the bright goddess had taught them all, they went to Olympos to the gathering of the other gods. And there they dwell beside Zeus who delights in thunder, awful and reverend goddesses. Right blessed is he among men on earth whom they freely love: soon they do send Ploutos (Agricultural Wealth) as guest to his great house, Ploutos who gives wealth to mortal men.

Vayu is a primary Hindu deity, the Lord of the winds, the father of Bhima and the spiritual father of Lord Hanuman. He is also known as Vata, Pavana (, the Purifier), and sometimes Prana (, the breath).

HO HSIEN-KU (pronounced HO SHEE-en KOO) is the Chinese Goddess of immortality, virgins, kindness, and mountains. She is one of the Pa Hsien, the Eight Immortals, and the only woman of the group. When Ho Hsien-ku was a teenager, a spirit appeared to her and told her to grind up some mother of pearl and eat the powder. The powder gave her immortality and her body became weightless. Ho Hsien-ku also decided to remain a virgin at this point. She spent her time floating through the mountains gathering fruit for her mother, although she herself had no need to eat. She was summoned to appear before the empress, but disappeared on her way to the court, joining the other immortals in heaven. In pictures she is shown as a beautiful woman, even though legend says that she was born with only six hairs on her head. She is usually shown holding a lotus flower to symbolize her open heart and the fruit that she gathered for her mother. Her name, which means "immortal woman Ho," is also seen as H'e QI'oNG, HE XIANGU, or HE HSIEN-KU.

The Waning and Dark Moon aspect of the Goddess is the Crone. She is the Goddess of banishing, of bringing an end to those things which have reached the point that they require it. She is the Goddess of the wisdom of old age, of everything which is hidden, of darkness and silence. Sadly, our modern society is one that is based on youth and beauty, and many view the Crone as a shadow figure, one to be avoided, but the fact is, they are afraid of Her because they do not know Her. Things that are unknown are always feared; thus it takes work to know the Crone...to understand the wisdom She has to offer.

The Crone is the symbol of wisdom that comes from experience. She has lived through love, sorrow, hope, and fear, and through these experiences She has learned the secrets of life and death. She may be kind, but she also knows when it is time to be harsh. She is full of power. Her body may no longer be fertile, but Her mind remains sharp. She is the elder of the Triple Goddess. (Note: The Crone is not only found within the aged. As with the other aspects of the Goddess, She is all beings at all times...both men and women...young and old...though age may very likely come before Her lessons are learned.)

The Mayan Triple Goddess "IXCHEL" ("ee-shell") may be perhaps the greatest of the Mayan goddesses. In Her dark aspects, She is depicted as a Crone wearing a skirt with crossed bones; She carries a serpent and a jug of water. The serpent represents regeneration, cycles and the power of magic and medicine. She is connected to the tides, water, and rain flow...of floods and of cloudbursts, and with Her jug of water, Ixchel would pour rainstorms and floods onto the land to destroy, cleanse and make way for rebirth.

"WANING MOON RITUAL"

CREATE A QUIET, SAFE SACRED SPACE WHERE YOU WILL NOT BE INTERRUPTED. DECORATE WITH THE COLOR RED AND SNAKES. BRING AN OFFERING FOR IXCHEL. LIGHT A RED CANDLE, THEN CALL TO IXCHEL

"ISCHEL, I HONOR AND CELEBRATE YOU. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS OFFERING AS A TOKEN OF MY HUMBLENESS AND REVERENCE OF YOUR GREATNESS AND YOUR POWER. OH, GREAT GODDESS, KEEPER OF THE CYCLES OF LIFE AND DEATH, TEACH ME YOUR MEDICINE AND YOUR MAGIC. TEACH ME YOUR WISDOM."

NOW, SIT IN MEDITATION AND BE OPEN TO ANY MESSAGES OR GUIDANCE THAT SHE HAS COME TO OFFER YOU. KEEP THE RED CANDLE TO LIGHT AND RE-CONNECT WITH YOUR INNER MEDICINE AND MAGIC AT SOME OTHER TIME IF YOU SO WISH.

GUAN YIN (pronounced Gwan-yin) is the Buddhist Goddess of mercy and compassion. She is worshipped in China as GUAN YIN (also seen as KUAN YIN or KWAN YIN), in Japan as KANNON (also KWANNON and KANZEON), in Korea as GWAN-EUM or GWANSE-EUM, in Thailand as KUAN EIM or PRAH MAE KUAN EIM, and in Vietnamese as QUAN AM or QUAN THE AM BO TAT. The name Guan Yin itself is short for GUANSHI YIN or KUAN-SHIH YIN, meaning "she who observes the cries of the world". She is worshipped by Buddhists and Taoists alike, from India to Japan, as a bodhisattva (enlightened being) who encourages and helps her followers to attain enlightenment as well.

Guan Yin is usually shown holding a willow branch in one hand (symbolizing grief) and a lotus flower containing the nectar of wisdom in the other. She looks down, watching over her followers. In some depictions, she carries a basket of fish, as she is also a patron Goddess of sailors and fishermen. In others, she carries an infant, and is venerated as a Goddess of fertility.

The predominant legend associated with Guan Yin involves her refusal to marry as her father had chosen. He decided to have her executed, and in forgiving her executioner, she took on the karmic guilt that would have been his to bear. Because of this, she ended up in the hellish realm of the dead, where she began to play music. Flowers blossomed around her and hell turned into a paradise, much to the dismay of the ruler of the underworld. He sent Guan Yin back to the world of the living, where she attained enlightenment and entrance to Heaven. On her way to heaven, she heard the cries of earth's inhabitants and came back, vowing to stay as long as she was needed to relieve the suffering she saw.

- Angerona. The Roman goddess of the winter solstice, Angerona is shown with a bandaged mouth with a finger to her lips commanding silence. Her feast the Divalia or Angeronalia was celebrated on December 21.
- Aetna. Aetna is the Roman mountain goddess after whom the Italian volcano Mount Etna is named.
- Aurora. The Roman goddess of dawn.
- Antevorta. Antevorta is the Roman goddess of prophecy.
- Bona Dea. The "good goddess," Bona Dea became the most popular name by which the goddess Fauna or Fatua was known in Rome. She is worshipped only by women, and only in secrecy at rites in early December. Led by Vestal priestesses, these rites were held at the home of a high-ranking Roman matron. The room was decorated with vine branches and with wine flowing freely, it is thought these events were rather rowdy.
- Bellona. The serpent haired goddess Bellona is often described as the feminine side of the god Mars. She represents conflict as well as peace in war.
- Concordia. Concordia is the Roman goddess of peace and in art shown as a heavyset matron holding cornucopia in one hand and an olive branch in the other.
- Ceres. The goddess Ceres is the force of crop growth personified and celebrated by women in secret rituals.
- Camenae. These Roman water spirits dwell in freshwater springs and rivers, their most notable haunt being the sacred spring at the Porta Capena, just outside of Rome. Their name means "foretellers." Their festival, the Fontinalia, was celebrated on October 13 by tossing good luck wreaths into wells.
- Disciplina. Disciplina is the Roman goddess of discipline.
- Diana. Diana is the mother of wild animals and forests, and a moon goddess. Oak groves are especially sacred to her. She is praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and her hunting skills. With two other deities she made up a trinity: Egeria the water - Devera. Devera is the Roman goddess that rules the brooms used to purify ritual sites.
nymph, her servant and assistant midwife; and Virbius, the woodland god.
- Edusa. Edusa is the Roman goddess who oversees the weaning of infants.
- Flora. Flora is the embodiment of the flowering of all of nature, including human nature. The female body was honored at the Floralia, the festival of nude women celebrated until the 3rd century A.D., when Roman authorities demanded revelers must wear clothes. Flora is the queen of all plants. Romans called her the secret patron of Rome, without whose help the city would die.
- Fraud. Fraud is the Roman goddess of treachery.
- Fons. Fons is the Roman goddess of fountains.
- Fortuna. The goddess Fortuna controls the destiny of every human being. She is the goddess who permits the fertilization of humans, animals and plants.
- Felicitas. Felicitas is the goddess of good fortune, not to be confused with Fortuna.
- Juno. The Roman supreme goddess is Juno, married to the ruling god, Jupiter. She is believed to watch and protect all women. Every year, on the first of March, women hold a festival in honor of Juno called the Matronalia. To this day, many people consider the month of June, which is named after the goddess who is the patroness of marriage, to be the most favorable time to marry. The peacock is sacred to Juno.
- Minerva. Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, commerce, crafts, and inventor of music. Ovid called her the "goddess of a thousand works." The Romans celebrated her worship from March 19 to 23 during the Quinquatrus, the artisans' holiday.
- Proserpine. Proserpine is the counterpart of the Greek goddess, Persephone. She was kidnapped by Pluto and taken to his underworld and made queen of the dead.
- Panacea. Panacea is a Roman goddess of health.
- Potina. Potina is the goddess honored as the spirit of weaving and of drinking.
- Puta. Puta is the Roman goddess of tree pruning.
- Pallor. Pallor is the Roman goddess of fear.
- Providentia. Providentia is a Roman goddess whose name means "forethought."
- Salus. Salus is a Roman goddess of health.
- Tempestates. Tempestates is the Roman goddess of wind and storm.
- Tellus Mater. The Roman "Mother Earth" is the constant companion of Ceres, and the two of them are patrons of vegetative and human reproduction. Tellus is also the mother death goddess since the dead are returned into her womb, the earth.
- Unxia. Unxia is the Roman goddess of wedding anointment.
- Sentia. Sentia is the Roman goddess who heightens feelings.
- Verplace. Verplace is the Roman goddess of family harmony.
- Venus. As the goddess of love, Venus is the "queen of pleasure" and mother of the Roman people. She is married to Vulcan, the lame god of the forge. She is also associated with her lover, Mars the god of war. She is also a nature goddess, associated with the arrival of spring. Venus is the bringer of joy to gods and humans.

SIPE GYALMO is the Tibetan Bon Goddess of exorcism and protection. She is frightening in appearance, which helps her ward off evil. Her skin is blue and she has three faces and six arms. One of her faces is white, one is red, and the other is blue. In her arms she holds a banner, a sword, a dagger, a mirror, a hook, and a cup full of blood. The sword symbolizes her ability to defeat evil forces, and the cup of blood represents the lifeforce which she can give or take away. Sipe Gyalmo is called upon to rid the world of evil and to protect her worshippers from all negativity. Epithets for her include QUEEN OF THE WORLD, QUEEN OF EXISTENCE, and QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, and her name is also seen as SIDPA GYALMO, SIPAI GYALMO, or SRID-PA'I GYAL-MO.

THE HOPI INDIANS OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA PERFORM A SNAKE DANCE EVERY TWO YEARS NEAR AUGUST 20TH TO INVOKE THE" SERPENT GODDESS "TO BRING THE RAIN NEEDED TO ENSURE A GOOD HARVEST. THE DANCERS, MEN OF THE SNAKE AND ANTELOPE CLANS, PERFORM WITH LIVE RATTLESNAKES WHICH ARE RELEASED AFTER THE CEREMONY TO CARRY THE PRAYER FOR RAIN BACK TO THE GODDESS.

ACCORDING TO AN OLD HOPI MYTH ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE DANCE, A YOUNG HOPI MAN (GOD) SETS OFF ON A TREK TO THE LAND OF THE SNAKE PEOPLE...WHO CAN ASSUME THE FORM OF SNAKES WHENEVER THEY WISH. THERE THE YOUNG MAN MEETS THE CHIEF OF THE TRIBE WHO TESTS THE YOUNG MAN BY ASKING HIM TO IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE SNAKES IS ACTUALLY THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER. NOW, IT IS JUST BY LUCK THAT THE YOUNG MAN SUCCESSFULLY IDENTIFIES WHICH SNAKE IS THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER, THE SNAKE WIFE, AND HE RECEIVES HER IN MARRIAGE...ALONG WITH THE SECRETS OF THE SNAKE CEREMONY. THE YOUNG MAN TAKES HIS BRIDE BACK TO HIS VILLAGE, BUT WHEN THEY REACH THE FOOT OF THE MESA, SHE TELLS HIM THAT SHE WILL REMAIN THERE UNTIL HE RETURNS.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING AS THE YOUNG MAN WALKED DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN TO TAKE HIS BRIDE SOME FOOD, HE MET UP WITH A WOMAN WHO WAS CLIMBING UP THE HILL WITH A JUG OF WATER,A FORMER LOVER OF HIS; THEN, WITHOUT WARNING SHE DROPPED THE JUG AND RAN TO HIM EMBRACING HIM. WHEN HE REACHED HIS WIFE, SHE ALREADY KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WEEPING, SHE TOLD THE YOUNG MAN THAT SHE WOULD BE RETURNING TO HER PEOPLE, BUT THAT SHE WOULD LEAVE HIM WITH THE BABY WHO, LIKE HERSELF, COULD CHANGE INTO A SNAKE AT WILL...AND THEN SHE DEPARTED.

THAT'S WHY THE HOPI INDIANS CONTINUE TO DANCE THE SNAKE DANCE TODAY. THE DANCERS ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF THE CHILD BORN TO THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS SNAKE WIFE....WHO, AS THE SERPENT GODDESS, HAS CONNECTIONS TO THE LIFE-GIVING RAIN.

G'ontia, also known as Guntia, was a Celtic goddess. Her name may be etymologically related to the Celtic word condate ("confluence"). She may have been the tutelary deity of the river G"unz, which is near G"unzburg in Germany. She also appears to be connected with the Belgian city Ghent.

"YOLKAI ESTSAN" IS THE EARTH GODDESS OF THE NAVAJO WHO IS ASSOCIATED WITH SEASONS AND THE LAND; SHE IS THE SISTER OF THE TURQUOISE-SKY GODDESS "ESTANATLEHI", THE NAVAJO MOON GODDESS. CALLED "WHITE SHELL WOMAN BECAUSE SHE WAS MADE FROM ABALONE, "YOLKAI ESTSAN "RULED THE DAWN AND THE OCEAN; SHE WAS ALSO CREATOR OF FIRE AND MAIZE. SHE CREATED THE FIRST PEOPLE MAKING THE FIRST MAN FROM WHITE CORN AND THE FIRST WOMAN FROM YELLOW CORN. SHE HERSELF WAS BORN IN A CRADLE OF RAINBOWS AT DAWN. JUST BEFORE A GREAT FLOOD WASHED HER AWAY TO THE WHITE SANDS OF THE DESERT, THE GREAT SPIRIT ORDERED HER TO ENTER AN ABALONE SHELL. WHEN THE WATERS SUBSIDED, SHE CREATED FIRE, RULING OVER THE DAWN AND THE SEA.

ACCORDING TO LEGEND, WHEN HER SISTER, "ETSANETLEHI", WENT TO LIVE IN THE WESTERN OCEAN, AND THE DIVINE BROTHERS, THE WAR GODS, WENT TO "THOYETLI" IN THE SAN JUAN VALLEY TO DWELL, "YOLKAI ESTSAN", THE "WHITE-SHELL WOMAN," WENT ALONE INTO THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, AND THERE SHE WANDERED AROUND SADLY FOR FOUR DAYS AND FOUR NIGHTS, CONSTANTLY MOURNING HOW LONELY SHE WAS AND THINKING ABOUT HOW SHE MIGHT CREATE PEOPLE TO KEEP HER COMPANY. ON THE MORNING OF THE FIFTH DAY THE GOD, "QUSTECYALCI, " CAME TO SEE HER ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER GODS. THEN, AFTER MANY CEREMONIES, CREATED A HUMAN PAIR OUT OF TWO EARS OF CORN. THE WIND GOD GAVE TO THESE THE BREATH OF LIFE, THE GOD OF THE WHITE CRYSTAL GAVE THEM THEIR MINDS, THE GRASSHOPPERS GAVE THEM THEIR VOICES.

When this had been accomplished, the brothers returned to the mountain which is their home, and whither warriors go to pray for success in war. Then the Sun-God, after creating the animals which inhabit the earth, departed for the far West where he had made a lodge, beyond the waters, for "Estsanatlehi", who became his wife and the great goddess of the west, the source of the life-bringing rains. Every day, as he journeys toward the west, the "Sun-Carrier "sings:

In my thoughts I approach,The Sun-God approaches,Earth's end he approaches,Estsanatlehi's hearth approaches,In old age walking the beautiful trail. In my thoughts I approach, The Moon-God approaches, Earth's end he approaches,Yolkai Estsan's hearth approaches,In old age walking the beautiful trail.

FOR, AS THE LEGEND GOES, "YOLKAI ESTSAN", TOO, BECAME THE BRIDE OF A GOD, BUT BEFORE SHE DEPARTED FOR THE DIVINE LODGE, SHE REMAINED FOR SOME TIME SOLITARY. IT WAS THEN, IN THE DAYS OF HER LONELINESS, THAT " HASTSHEYALTI" CAME TO HER, AND IT WAS DECIDED THAT A NEW RACE OF MEN SHOULD BE CREATED. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF ALL THE GODS A MAN WAS FORMED FROM A WHITE, AND A WOMAN FROM A YELLOW, EAR OF MAIZE. "NILTSHI" GAVE THEM THE BREATH OF LIFE; THE "ROCK-CRYSTAL BOY "GAVE THEM MIND; THE "GRASSHOPPER GIRL "GAVE THEM VOICES. Y"OLKAI ESTSAN "GAVE THEM FIRE AND MAIZE, AND MARRIED THE MAN TO "GROUND-HEAT GIRL" AND THE WOMAN TO "MIRAGE BOY", AND FROM THESE TWO COUPLES IS DESCENDED THE FIRST GENS OF THE NAVAHO TRIBE THE "HOUSE OF THE DARK CLIFFS", SO NAMED BECAUSE THE GODS WHO CREATED THE FIRST PAIR CAME FROM THE CLIFF HOUSES.

"RADHA," THE HINDU GODDESS OF LOVE, IS THE GODDESS WHO WAS THE MOST BELOVED OF THE GOD, "KRISHNA". SHE IS THE PERSONIFICATION OF LOVE BETWEEN HUMANITY AND GOD, AS WELL AS BETWEEN WOMAN AND MAN. IN THE "VAISHNAVA" TRADITION OF HINDU, SHE IS REGARDED AS A PRIMARY DEITY, OFTEN WORSHIPPED TO AS AN INCARNATION OF "GODDESS LAKSHMI."

"RADHA" IS ALMOST ALWAYS DEPICTED ALONGSIDE KRISHNA AS HIS LOYAL DEVOTEE AND CELESTIAL WIFE. WITH HER EYES CLOSED, SHE FOLLOWS HIM WHEREVER HE TAKES HER, TRUSTING IN HIM COMPLETELY AND GIVING UP HER OWN EGO. SHE IS BOTH HIS DEVOTEE AND HIS EQUAL, ABANDONING HERSELF TO PASSION.

The love story of "Radha-Krishna" has become a legend in the Hindu mythology. The story is believed to have taken place in the" Dwapar Yuga, "when both of them took birth in this world. R"adha "was a cowherdess, who through her beauty and charm captivated the heart of L"ord Krishna" and became his beloved goddess. "Lord Krishna" is considered to be the incarnation of "Lord Vishnu", whose birth was predestined.

"RADHA" SYMBOLIZES THE HUMAN SOUL AS IT MOVES THROUGH ETERNITY, SEEKING UNION WITH THE DIVINE.

TAWERET is the Egyptian hippopotamus Goddess of pregnancy and childbirth, whose name means "the great female one". She was a very popular domestic Goddess, and was often portrayed on beds, pillows, and other common household objects. Taweret protects women throughout their pregnancies, and assists with labor. She is the consort of the dwarf Bes, God of Pleasure. Her depiction as a hippopotamus with the large breasts and belly of a pregnant woman, combined with the head of a crocodile and the feet of a lion, shows both her nurturing and protective roles. Other forms of her name include TAUERET, TAURT, and TAOURIS.

GEFJON (pronounced GEF-yon) is the Norse Goddess of fertile ground and virgins. Yes, contradictory, but she is a Goddess and normal rules don't always apply. The predominant myth about her is from a ninth century poem by Bragi the Old and was retold by Snorri Sturluson in the thirteenth century. He relates how Odin had sent Gefjon out to look for more land, and she came to the court of King Gylfi of Sweden. She entertained the king, and in return he gave her a grant of as much land as four oxen could plough in one day and one night. Gefjon went to the land of the giants where she had four sons with a giant. She turned the four sons into oxen and brought them back to King Gylfi. They dug up so much earth that they created a lake, Lake M"alaren, and the earth that they had dug they dumped into the sea where it formed an island, Zealand, which is now part of Denmark. Gefjon then moved to the island and married Odin's son Skj"old, and their children became the royal family of Denmark.

Elsewhere in his works, Snorri Sturluson refers to Gefjon as a virgin Goddess, although the trickster God Loki claims that this is not true. Gefjon is one of Frigg's handmaidens, and she in turn is served by women who died as virgins. Her name means "giver" and is also seen as GEFION, GEFJUN, or GEBJUN.

The Maruts, also known as the Marutgana and the Rudras, are storm deities and sons of Rudra and Diti and attendants of Indra. The number of Maruts varies from two to sixty (three times sixty in RV 8.96.8). They are very violent and aggressive, described as armed with golden weapons i.e. lightning and thunderbolts, as having iron teeth and roaring like lions, as residing in the north, as riding in golden chariots drawn by ruddy horses. In the Vedic mythology, the Maruts, a troop of young warriors, are Indra's companions. According to French comparative mythologist Georges Dum'ezil, they are cognate to the Einherjar and the Wild hunt. According to the Ramayana, the Maruts' mother, Diti, either seven or seven times seven in number, hoped to give birth to a son who would be more powerful than Indra. She remained pregnant for one hundred years in hopes of doing so; Indra prevented it by throwing a thunderbolt at her and splintering the fetus into the many less powerful deities.

The Vedas speak of 108 Maruts, a devonic troop who assist Vayu with clouds and rain. When Indra offended them, Sage Agastya came to their aid. Indra attacked the fire-worship with His vajra. Agastya, father of the Tamil language, prevailed.